Four activists deny criminal charges following protest at Bath Abbey

Four Christian climate activists, including a retired Church of England vicar, have appeared before Bath magistrates to face criminal charges following a protest at Bath Abbey.

The four activists during the protest on the roof of Bath Abbey | Photo provided

The Reverend William ‘Bill’ White, 71, from Bollington near Macclesfield, appeared by video link at the hearing yesterday, Wednesday 7th January, as he was snowed in.

The three appearing in the dock were Stephen Pritchard, 66, a former parish councillor from Lower Whitelands, Radstock; 41-year-old Emma Ireland, a mental health worker from Redfield in Bristol; and Katherine Chesterman, 60, a retired university worker from Lympne in Kent.

A cordon was thrown around the abbey on 13th September last year after members of Christian Climate Action, taking part in a day of action which also saw protests at other cathedrals and abbeys, climbed on to the roof and hung a four-metre banner from the bell tower to demand the Church of England take a stand against the “forces causing climate and ecological collapse”.

The banner displayed the words ‘Don’t Crucify Creation’.

The four who appeared in court yesterday each face two charges, the first being that having trespassed at Bath Abbey on 13th September, they obstructed or disrupted tours by barricading themselves on the roof.

Supporters outside the court on Wednesday 7th January

The second charge is of aggravated trespass, with each of them accused of failing to leave the abbey as soon as practicable after being given a direction to do so.

All four have denied the charges. They indicated that they do not want legal representation.

While they were in court yesterday, around 30 people took part in a peaceful prayer vigil outside the building in North Parade Road. There were also supporters in the public gallery.

Magistrates granted all four defendants unconditional bail and adjourned proceedings until next Wednesday, 14th January, when there will be a case management hearing at the court with District Judge Lynne Matthews.